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Authorities Believe They Are Making Progress

Aired September 15, 2001 - 22:35 ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED. AARON BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: We've just picked up a couple of pieces of information we want to get to you as quickly as we can. Number one, we talked about a material witness the government was looking for right at the top of the program. We've now learned that that second -- this will be the second material witness to be taken into custody -- has, in fact, been taken into custody here in New York. And we are also told that the FBI and police agencies are searching, now, an apartment in Jersey City, just across the river, and questioning two other people. That's going on now, or at least it was going on a few moments ago. So this sense of an investigation in motion, and making progress whether you see it as quick progress or creeping progress, progress nevertheless continues here on Saturday night.

Jamie, it is -- it is difficult, I know, to be interrupted in mid-thought and mid-picture. I apologize, but here we go again.

MCINTYRE: The Pentagon did say today that they were going to rebuild this section of the Pentagon as quickly as possible, although they say it'll take a couple of years and cost well over $100 million, probably hundreds of millions of dollars by the time they get through. And -- now, it's important for, the Pentagon officials say, for one reason, to show that the Pentagon, which is the symbol of the arsenal of democracy, is going to be put back together.

Also, another little part of symbolism tonight from the Pentagon. We learned tonight that the operation that includes the combat planes flying over the United States, ships at sea along the coastlines, and the U.S. military support for the disaster relief, both in New York and Washington, has now been given the name Operation Noble Eagle. At this point, that just refers to what the military is doing now in response to the attacks. It doesn't extend to any offensive operation. When that time comes, it may get another name or this name may be -- may be broadened.

But again, the Pentagon puts a lot of thought into picking these names to try to communicate what it is they're trying to accomplish. And in this case, with a mission of homeland defense and aid to the homeland, they picked the name Operation Noble Eagle. BROWN: And on the reservist question, have -- are the notifications going out? Are men and women getting phone calls or messages, however they do this...

MCINTYRE: Yes...

BROWN: ... but it's hard to report?

MCINTYRE: They are getting notifications, as they're beginning to just start to identify units -- most of the notifications have not gone out. As they're trying to figure out which units are the most appropriate, and whether there are people -- units that want to volunteer, or people within those units that want to volunteer. Already, though, some Coast Guard people have been activated in order to increase patrols along the -- along the coastline. And some reservists are beginning to get those activations.

But the Pentagon stresses that at this point, all of those reserve -- reservists being called to active duty are to support these two missions, either homeland defense or support the civil authorities. There's been no call-up of reservists yet for any military -- offensive military operations.

BROWN: Jamie, thanks. Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon for us, giving us a very good look at a very bad scene that went on there Tuesday.

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